Glove for handball and the like



Sept. 10, 1940. H. M. CLARK 2,214,575

GLOVE FDR HANDBALL AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 19:59

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HARE Y M. OLA/PK /N VENTOI? ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,214,576 GnovE FOR HANDBALLAND THE LIKE v 7 Harry M. Clark, Chicago, Ill. Application February 10, 1939, Serial No. 255,683

' 1Claim. (Cl.220)

This invention relates to an improved glove for playing handball and similar games and has, for one of its principal objects, the provision of a glove or hand covering which can be used in various games played by batting a ball with the hand, and by means of which the action of the ball can be controlled to quite a considerable extent, particularly in the way of imparting spin, curves or what is known as English to the ball.

One of the important objects of this invention is the provision in a hand covering for sports of means whereby the players hand, particularly the fleshy part thereof, will be protected from undue bruising and too forcible contact with the ball, while, at the same time, all the fingers and thumb are left free for ready manipulation of the ball, particularly in handling and carrying the same and also insofar as the play itself is concerned.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a hand covering which can be used in various sports and which can be readily applied, being constructed to fit the hands of players of various ages and sizes with little, if any, adjustment, and which, furthermore, shall incorporate therein means for ventilation, which ventilating means shall also act in the way of an adjunct to the game, particularly the game known as handball.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the palm of an operators or players hand with the improved device of this invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a back view of the players hand, showing the means by which the apparatus of this invention is attached in adjusted position.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the device removed from the hand and showing the various parts in opened position.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, and both views, Figures 4 and 5, illustrate the shaping of the contact plate.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral l indicates generally the body of the improved handball playing glove of this invention,. the same being preferably composed of leather or some similar tough flexible material and which is shaped to correspond more or less closely to the contour of the operators or players hand as best illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

It will be noted that the element ID has a portion which is adapted to cover practically the entire palm of the operators hand and which also extends to some degree over the wrist of the player. Extensions l2 and I4 pass to the rear or back of the hand as best illustrated in Figure 2, these extensions having slots l6 and I8 respectively therein through which a strap 20 is adapted to pass. This strap has one end affixed to the upper central portion of the hand covering I0 and is then adapted tobe looped over and into the crotch formed by the thumb and first finger of the hand as best shown in Figure 1, after which it is brought through the slot l8 and then across the back of the players hand as shown in Figure 2 and finally through the slot l6 where its direction is reversed so as to enable the end of the strapto be conveniently fastened into a buckle or the like 22, which buckle is mounted on a shoulder of the main body portion ID as shown in Figure 3.

Attached to the forward face of the body portion 10 is a metallic plate 24, this being fastened in position by means of rivets or the like 26, one of the rivets serving to hold the end of the strap 20 in position. This plate 24 has a shape or contour which will correspond to the outline of the ordinary hand so that the leather backing is constrained to also follow this shape or contour as shown in Figures 4 and whereby a snug fit with the hand of any ordinary player will be provided.

The plate 24 is also provided with openings 28 which serve a double purpose, the first purpose being for ventilation and the next being to provide depressions in the surface of the plate 24 so that upon forcibly contacting a ball of rubber or the like, a certain amount of spin or twist can be imparted to the ball at the moment of contact simply by a sidewise or turning motion of the hand as is well-known in sports circles.-

The openings 28 also have preferably a series of up-raised ridges or the like there-around which increases the roughness of the surface of the plate 24, thereby enhancing the possibilities of imparting spin or English to the ball in its movement. In handball, this provides a very interesting feature inasmuch as a ball thus struck will, especially after rebounding from a wall, have a very deceptive motion which makes it difiicult for an opposing player to judge and accurately return the stroke. Obviously, this increases the amount of skill and also the pleasure derived from the playing of this or any other game in connection with which a hand covering constructed in accordance with the principles of to be played and possibly the desires of the individual player not to mention the possible variations in contour so far as thetactual hand. of the player is concerned. Obviously, the device may, be employed on either or both hands, and inasmuch as. it serves both as a protection and also as an aid so far as increasing the pleasure and skill of the game is concerned, it will be obvious that herein is presented a very desirable sports article which, while relatively inexpensive, will .prove its orth in more Ways than one.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do, not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as" necessitated by ,the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

-A hand covering comprising a sheet of flexible material, a strap on the same for securing it in position, and a metal plate mounted on the flexible covering over the palm-contacting portion thereof, said metal plate being shaped to conform to the contouroi the hand and having openings therein, and indentations thereon.

HARRY FM. CLARK. 

